Police seize suspected drugs and handgun after executing search warrants

February 26, 2025

Seven people — five from the Greater Toronto Area — after police executed search warrants that resulted in the seizure of suspected drugs and a handgun.

Thunder Bay Police Service Intelligence Unit officers executed warrants at a residence on Windsor Street and at a residence on Picton Avenue on the evening of Tuesday, February 26. The warrants had been obtained as a result of an investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity.

 

Searches of both residences resulted in the seizures of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with cash and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking. A handgun was seized from one of the locations.

 

A total of seven individuals were arrested and taken into custody.

 

Jante Richard EXCELL, 24, of North York; Vernon Joseph MOONIAS, 53, of Thunder Bay; Richard SMART-CURTIS, 28, of North York; Keyshon THOMAS-MORRIS, 22, of North York, are charged with the following:

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)

•             Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5,000

•             Careless Storage of a Firearm

•             Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

•             Knowledge of Possession of Unauthorized Firearm

 

THOMAS-MORRIS is also charged with Breach of Release Order and Breach of Undertaking.

 

Moses MERCHANT, 19, of North York; Jahdai TAPPER, 19, of Toronto; and Vanessa Celeste UCHACZ, 44, of Thunder Bay, are charged with the following:

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)

•             Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5,000

 

UCHACZ is also charged with Breach of Release Order.

 

The accused appeared in court on Wednesday and all have been remanded into custody with future appearance dates.

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Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit investigation leads to charges

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TB26033026 A Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit investigation has resulted in charges. The investigation began on August 19, 2026, in response to a report of a local resident uploading child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM) to the Bing search engine. Further investigation led to a suspect being identified. On September 24, 2026, officers searched a home in Thunder Bay and seized multiple electronic devices as part of the investigation. On October 7, 2026, the suspect turned themselves in to Thunder Bay Police Service Headquarters. As a result of the investigation, 56-year-old Jeffrey PETERS of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material • Access any child sexual abuse and exploitation material The accused was remanded into custody following their first court appearance. The investigation into the matter remains ongoing. The Thunder Bay Police Service recognizes that parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices. We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts. Tips for talking to your kids can be found, and reporting of any online exploitation can also be made, at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at cybertip.ca. There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children. The new Talking for Change ( https://talkingforchange.ca/ ) program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Brian STEWART at 807-684-1200 ex. 407. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com .